Viper Strike
Laser Guided Weapon for UAVs

Manufacturer: Northrop
Grumman

Viper
Strike is a gliding munition capable of stand-off
precision attack using GPS-aided navigation and a semi-active laser
seeker. It is intended for operations that require a flexible angle of
inclination (steep or shallow), particularly in mountainous terrain or
built-up areas where strict rules of engagement are in force. Its small
size and precision provide for low collateral damage in cluttered urban
environments.

The weapon was developed as a
derivative of the autonomous Brilliant Attack Munitions (BAT) Submunitions
during a quick reaction, nine-week program at Northrop Grumman's Land
Combat Systems facility at
Redstone
Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala.

The weapon is suitable for operations that require top-down
attack, particularly in built-up areas where strict rules of engagement
are in force. It requires a "man in the loop" to lase the
target, either from the ground in sight of the target or from directly
by the UAV, controlled from the ground station, a process which ensures the greatest possible accuracy and minimizes the chances
of collateral damage.

The Viper Strike's warhead is smaller
than the hellfire's, which is used with the US Air Force armed Predator UAVs, containing only four pounds of Anti-Tank High Explosive (HEAT)
charge, for reduced collateral damage in an urban built-up area. It also
has a self-destruct mechanism, to eliminate post-strike hazards. The
final version of Viper Strike could be equipped with fragmentation belt
as well as an optional blast
fragmentation and thermobaric warhead.

By late 2004 the US Army deployed to Iraq some
Viper Strike munitions with MQ-5 Hunter unit. There were no details about
combat engagements of these weapons. In 2005 Northrop Grumman continued
development of the weapon, and is preparing to test it with MQ-1 armed
Predator and AC-130 gunships, which will use the weapon as a stand-off
precision guided munition (SOPGM). Ac-130 integration with Viper
Strike is currently developed under a Special Operations Command (SOCOM) for
an advanced technology demonstration (ACTD). The first phase of the program
is scheduled for completion by December 2006. The weapon is being updated
with additional GPS guidance system and fragmentation belt, placed around
the shaped charge warhead.